via digg (The big DRM mistake)

After it arrived, I took out the first DVD and stuck it in my Linux box, expecting that I could start looking at the collected issues
[…]
It turned out that The New Yorker added DRM to their DjVu files, turning an open format into a closed, proprietary, encrypted format, and forcing consumers to install the special viewer software included on the first DVD. Of course, that software only works on Windows or Mac OS X, so Linux users are out of luck (and no, it doesn’t work under WINE … believe me, I tried).

via Spyblog (re Computer Misuse Act):

For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above the requisite intent is an

intent to do the act in question and by so doing—

(a) to impair the operation of any computer,
(b) to prevent or hinder access to any program or data held in any computer, or
(c) to impair the operation of any such program or the reliability of any such data,

whether permanently or temporarily.

I’m sure that the DRM problems described in the first story fall into the emboldened sections of the legislation.

Does this mean UK government will be outlawing DRM? It’s a nice thought anyway.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 3rd, 2006 at 2:03 pm and is filed under Software, The Law.